We’ve now learned that the Food Network’s “Rachael vs. Guy” hosts Rachael Ray and UNLV alumnus and star chef Guy Fieri also each donated $2,500 to O.V. after watching Penn come within just one point of NFL legend Herschel Walker, who won the six-week celebrity cook-off competition and the $50,000 first-place prize.

Total winnings from Penn’s participation came to $20,000, which is a beautiful way to be compensated for losing on the Season 3 final scoreboard 500-499.

LIVE ‘BAR RESCUE’: Host and producer Jon Taffer plans to give his “Bar Rescue” fans an opportunity to go beyond the screen and get behind-the-scenes when he presents three sessions of the Spike hit during the Nightclub & Bar Show from March 24-26.

“It will be a full-immersion experience with the experts from the show,” said Jon. “They will deliver their expertise to owners, operators and managers, and regular fans can watch as it happens to see how we increase that bottom line.”

On March 25, Jon also hosts a “Bar Rescue” Happy Hour at Tryst in Wynn. Jon will present his all-star lineup of Russell Davis, Elayne Duff, Kevin Vanegas and Tony Gemignani (of Pizza Rock downtown), all of whom appear regularly on “Bar Rescue.” Thom Greco will moderate a panel with past rescued owners revealing where they are now.

STRIPPED STARS: Porn princess Jenna Haze is the cover girl on the February issue of StripLV Magazine. What’s not so expected is that inside, you’ll get features on Zowie Bowie, celebrity chef Charlie Palmer and L.V. restaurant royal Elizabeth Blau.

Don’t panic; they don’t go naked! Chris Phillips tells Maria Santos the history behind Zowie Bowie, and Elizabeth is lauded by Byron Croft in his series “Women Who Made Las Vegas.” Charlie shares his “Love of Cooking” in a “Take It From the Chef” column. Also making appearances in between naked layouts: Recycled Percussion on their “junk rock” and an excerpt from Monti Rock’s upcoming book “Unmasked.”

There’s even a photo shoot of Robin Thicke at the Palms and an advance look at Bruno Mars’ shows this weekend at the Cosmopolitan. My good friend, and former StripLV cover girl, Playboy’s sexy Andrea Lowell from our VH1 series “Fame Games” filmed here, has a “Strong & Sexy” health column with this issue.

UPCOMING:Body English at the Hard Rock Hotel is reopening Thursday nights transforming into an 1980s and ‘90s hotspot featuring fun fashion and music of the two decades mixed by DJs Hass Deniro and Mikey Swift. Each week, there will be different hosts and performances from yesteryear, starting tonight with Color Me Badd and continuing Feb. 27 with Vanilla Ice.

Electric Daisy Carnival fans can breathe a sigh of relief and get a fix as we have reached the halfway point of the announced dates for this year’s festival. Insomniac and Marquee at the Cosmopolitan have joined forces for the first-ever winter pool party ( under a temperature controlled dayclub dome) on Sunday afternoon with a staggering DJ lineup. Count the days; it will arrive sooner than you think.

STAR SURVEILLANCE

“Monty Python” writer and star Eric Idle attended Penn & Teller’s magic show at the Rio. He went backstage afterward for a late-night dinner with longtime friend Penn.

Buddy Valastro

Check out my new video interview with “Cake Boss” star Buddy Valastro that we filmed at Palazzo, home to his restaurant Buddy V’s Ristorante. His new Carlo’s Bakery from New Jersey is getting ready to set its opening date opposite his restaurant there.

Country singer Clint Black celebrates his 25th anniversary of 22 #1 hits, including “Killing Time” and “Taillights,” all written by him, in an intimate acoustic show at Smith Center.

Las Vegas’ Honorifics and Andy Martell are at Cabaret Jazz in Smith Center.

Queens of the Stone Age with guest Chelsea Wolfe reign at the Joint in the Hard Rock Hotel.

Comedian Andrew Dice Clay starts another weekend run next door at Vinyl.

Grandma Lee is at Bonkerz Comedy Club at Rampart casino in Summerlin.

Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Dion, who was the first rock singer to sign with Columbia Records in the 1950s, is at Orleans for two nights with “Run Around Sue,” “Ruby Baby” and more than a dozen of his Top 40 hits.

Ill Gates, Dirtyphonics and Excision play House of Blues at Mandalay Bay.

DJ Five spins at Tao in Venetian.

Warren Peace is at Tryst in Wynn.

Sunnery James and Ryan Marciano are at Hakkasan in MGM Grand.

TOMORROW’S TEASE

Love is in the air for Valentine’s Day, along with lingerie, roses, chocolate and champagne, and we have some treats to really make your heart skip a beat or two. Plus, Bruno Mars returns to the Cosmopolitan direct from his phenomenal Super Bowl XLVIII success, and an EDC party to mark the halfway point to the annual summer excitement at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Robin Leach has been a journalist for more than 50 years and has spent the past decade giving readers the inside scoop on Las Vegas, the world’s premier platinum playground.

Carnival lasts all year at the Rio. With a float occasionally passing overhead and dropping beads while feathered dancers fire up the gamblers below, the Rio tries to keep its 120,000-square foot casino jumping with excitement. Special Brazilian mixed-drinks are also served throughout the casino. The hotel suites tend to be larger than similar priced rooms on the Strip and many offer excellent views with floor to ceiling windows.

The Rio offers some quality shows like "Penn & Teller" and "Chippendales." Many come to the Rio for the nightlife at the VooDoo Lounge, located on the 51st floor, or McFadden's Irish Pub on the casino level.

Others come for a bit relaxation at the Rio Spa or pool area and still others come to shop at the hotel's 60,000 square feet of shops. In each of these endeavors, the Rio attempts to make the experience a bit more fun and spontaneous.

The Rio also offers guests a variety of dining choices from all-American food at the All-American Bar & Grille to Gaylord India Restaurant for something a little spicier and even Carnival World Buffet for the indecisive.

3700 W. Flamingo Rd.Las Vegas,
NV89103

702-777-7634

The JointThe Joint, which holds 4,000 people, features seven luxury suites, a VIP studio level, a state-of-the-art sound system and a superior video system.
It has received numerous accolades including “Best Concert Venue” in Las Vegas Review-Journal’s “Best of Las Vegas” awards in 2010, 2011 and 2012, “No. 1 Hottest Club in America” award by Billboard Magazine in 2011, “Best New Major Concert Venue” at the 2010 Pollstar Awards, and “Best Live Music Venue” in AOL City’s Best 2010 awards.
The Joint has been the venue for concerts by Paul McCartney, Prince, The Killers, Bon Jovi, Kenny Chesney, Arcade Fire, Avenged Sevenfold, Guns N’ Roses, Rise Against, Paramore, Muse, Drake and No Doubt. The venue hosted Vegas’s first rock n’ roll residency, "Supernatural Santana: A Trip through the Hits," and in February 2012, Vegas’s first hard rock residency, "Mötley Crüe in Sin City." In 2011, the venue welcomed "Tiësto In Concert," a groundbreaking live show created exclusively for The Joint featuring the world’s No. 1 electronic DJ and producer Tiësto.
See Entertainment schedule.